Family

How to Accept Prodigal Children (Without Enabling Them)

by

“Rebellious children can break the hearts of their parents…But when they wake up and turn back, your love needs to be standing at the door with arms wide open.”  –The Love Dare for Parents, Day 36 You might know the story of the prodigal son.  The son that wanted his inheritance before it was time.  He wasted it all on …

READ MORE

The Prodigal’s Father

by

A look at the prodigal son reminds us of the perfect example of a father who loved both his children – when one was faithful and when one was unfaithful.  This picture of grace will help parents teach their children that, even when the day comes when they don’t live in our house, our children are never too far away …

READ MORE

It’s Just Hard to Watch

by

In the American culture, it is increasingly more difficult to keep children focused on Jesus during Easter and Christmas.  When bunnies, eggs, candy, gifts, reindeer, and a fat man sliding down your chimney is thrown at them at all times, it is a challenge to reorient their thinking to the things of God.  You don’t want it to become, “Let’s get …

READ MORE

A Quiver Full

by

“Like arrows in the hand of a warrior or the children of one’s youth” (Psalm 127:4). On the battlefield, arrows can hit targets beyond the archer’s physical reach.  The analogy from Ps. 127:4 reveals that in our lives, our children can do more for the Kingdom of God than we can if we love them according to God’s instructions. Think …

READ MORE

The Terrible Twos

by

This weekend we celebrated my baby girl’s birthday.  Gloria is another year older and we have officially entered the terrible twos. This is normally a dreaded time of parenthood as the child begins to learn the art of testing the parents.  Has she begun to test us?  Sure.  We have our set of challenges as any parents do. But these …

READ MORE

Thank You, Daddy

by

When Amanda went away for 2 days for a conference, I had the privilege of watching all 3 bambinos by myself.  In addition to some planned fun, cutting down a couple of trees, I also tried to maintain the house as clean as my wife’s preferred standards.  That involved making the children work for food.  Gloria has gotten real messy …

READ MORE

Kingdom-Minded Empty-Nesters

by

In the last year, I have had many opportunities to speak with congregations about the need for family discipleship.  While I love speaking with eager parents who want to apply the teaching immediately within their context, I also have this burden for empty-nesters. In every situation, I have had someone whose children are out of the home say, “I sure …

READ MORE

Lumberjacks

by

I am a glutton for punishment. My wife was out-of-town this weekend at a home school conference, and I wasn’t looking forward to missing her, but I also wanted to plan some unique things for the kids and I to do.  I then started wondering if there was something we could do to surprise her when she got back. Flying …

READ MORE

Raising Boys to Be Godly Men

by

Dr. Danny Akin is the President of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.  While a great intellectual gift to the Church, he is also a husband and father.  That role has also served as a gift to the Church. Watch this interview with him and his son that Dr. Russell Moore conducted concerning “Raising Boys to Be Godly Men.”  Great practical and …

READ MORE

Women: The Good, the Bad, and the Expectations

by

This weekend, North Side had a great Marriage Getaway at Ridgecrest Conference Center.  It was a fun time and a powerful time.  My own marriage was strengthened and it was great to connect with other couples as well. Since I was out-of-town on the day our staff elders divvied up teaching topics, I knew that I was going to get …

READ MORE

Man-to-Man Parenting in a Zone-Defense Home

by

I remember the day when I realized that this blog had reached a new level of success.  Someone told me, “My mom saw your blog on Pinterest!”  I had arrived ;). The reason I was getting some increased traffic was due to my posts on Obadiah’ date night and Eli’s date night that they had with their mom.  Trying to …

READ MORE

Taking Parenting Seriously

by

In Matthew 18, Jesus is coming closer to the cross.  Day by day, He nears the time when He was to offer up His life as a sacrifice on our behalf.  During this time, Jesus was fervently teaching what life should look like for His disciples once He was gone. The way in which they were to love each other …

READ MORE

God Doesn’t Contradict Himself

by

We try our best to make Jesus a regular point of conversation in our home. We are not perfect at it.  We miss a lot of opportunities, but we are really stepping up the pace of it these days.  My boys are about to turn 6 in a few months and they are beginning to understand more and more about …

READ MORE

Your Children’s Advisors

by

Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction, and don’t reject your mother’s teaching, for they will be a garland of grace on your heard and a gold chain around your neck.  My son, if sinners entice you, don’t be persuaded.  -Prov. 1:8-10 Do most children view their parents’ instruction in the same manner as is mentioned in this verse?  Why …

READ MORE

David and Goliath – The Snowmen Epic Battle

by

Beautiful snow coming down in Greenwood today and we took advantage of this rare falling phenomenon in our neck of the woods to make a David and Goliath snowmen.  Our previous efforts had been Moses the Snowman and Jonah and the Snowfish, but we decided to go 1 Samuel 17 today. Everyone was in the spirit and the snow was …

READ MORE

I Could Eat More Than God

by

You never know what you are gonna get with my children.  Random sayings, crazy ideas, and fun adventures are a daily ritual. The other day I was eating lunch with my children while Mom had gone out to get some things done.  I used to be able to clean my plate and also clean Amanda’s plate at the end of …

READ MORE

Jonah and the Snowfish

by

Yesterday morning, Obadiah prayed: “Dear God, thank you for this day.  Thank you for this food.  Thank you that you are always with us.  And please let there be snow today.  Even though we live in Greenwood, and no one ever knows if we really are gonna get snow or not.  Well, I guess you know, but we don’t.  Amen.” …

READ MORE

Boundaries for Your Children

by

The Book of Proverbs is full of great counsel.  It is primarily a collection of sayings from Solomon offering his son wise advice for living.  In fact, many of the sections begin with words like, “Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction, and don’t reject your mother’s teaching” (Prov. 1:8). Look in the verses below and see what type of …

READ MORE

At Least I Had $600

by

The boys have really gotten into playing an old Star Wars Monopoly game of mine lately.  It has helped with their math and their understanding of money (even if it is an intergalactic currency). The other Saturday, Obadiah wanted to play a full game of it.  I was Chewbacca.  He was R2-D2.  We continued for a while in the usual …

READ MORE

Oh the Indignity

by

I’m trying my best to tell the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD (Ps. 78:4) and also to tell them not to follow the bad examples of the generations before them (Ps. 78:8).  As we work our way through the pages of Scripture, we come along stories that challenge me concerning how I teach them to young ears. …

READ MORE

Fast Forward with the Family

by

I was privileged to serve alongside South Main Baptist Church in Greenwood yesterday.  They are currently in a search for their next pastor and some of their staff and friends of the church have been asked to fill the pulpit until the interim pastor is selected.  I am blessed enough to be considered a friend and got to preach for …

READ MORE

The 2nd Question I Ask My Wife

by

As a minister, our family’s schedule can be hectic.  I’m not saying it’s more or less hectic than other folks, but there are unique challenges associated with my job as there are with yours. From time to time, I have been asked to get involved in certain ministry opportunities.  Whether it is a chance to speak at an event, write …

READ MORE

Get to Heaven and Learn More About God

by

I love the prayers of my children.  There is something raw and honest about them. Occasionally, I will hear certain phrases that get on repeat, but usually, each day will provide something unique. The other day, my son, Eli, was praying over lunch.  Something he said got my attention and caused me to do a double-take. “Thank you, God, for …

READ MORE

Hole Shoe

by

My precious daughter, Gloria, has been adding to her vocabulary every day. One of her favorite sayings is “hole shoe.” I know we will have to start correcting her pronunciations, but that can wait.  When she verbalizes, “hole shoe,” she is asking to be held.  The way she enunciates it as a question is hilarious.  “Hold you?” she pleads. Arms …

READ MORE

Christmas Was Kind of a Bust

by

I meant to post this earlier, but we’ve been kind of covered up since Christmas. Lots of family to see. Lots of places to go. Lots of things in my house breaking that I needed to fix. But, if I’m honest, Christmas was kind of a bust this year.  At least in our house. What I mean by that is …

READ MORE

Are We Supposed to Fear God?

by

“This is the command – the statues and ordinances – the LORD your God has instructed me to teach you, so that you may follow them in the land you are about to enter and possess.  Do this so that you may fear the LORD your God all the days of your life by keeping all His statutes and commands …

READ MORE

The Bad Stuff in My Heart

by

Mornings are always fun at the Agnew house.  Church office hours begin at 8 for us, so I try to get up early and help Amanda by getting the kids going before I leave. The other morning, Obadiah was complaining about his stomach hurting when he woke up. The night before he had been a little defiant as the evening …

READ MORE

Are Your Children Christians?

by

We are called to examine ourselves to see if we are genuinely believers or not (2 Cor. 13:5). As a parent, how can you thoroughly examine to see if your children are Christians? Even a young man is known by his actions – by whether his behavior is pure and upright.  -Prov. 20:11 Parenting is challenging, but it is extremely …

READ MORE

Early Bird Rates for Family Camp 2014

by

For the last few summers, my dear friend Jody Jennings had asked me to go to Family Camp with him up North.  The concept of a summer camp for family was great, but the distance was just not feasible for us. I began to talk with friends about the idea, and over and over, people said they wished something like …

READ MORE

The Need for Parental Affirmation

by

In this stage of parenting, I hear one phrase as much if not more than all other phrases: “Dad, look at what I did.” Even if it is Baby Gloria babbling at me and pointing to something she knocked over, my children desire for me to recognize their accomplishments.  I am constantly being called to look at pictures drawn, letters …

READ MORE

46 Things Most Parents Don’t Know About Their Children and Technology

by

  Last night, I got the opportunity to teach two groups of parents at North Side concerning children and technology.  We simply scratched the surface concerning education and protection of their children. Most of the things I shared were enlightening.  Technology and media change so rapidly, it is hard for a parent to keep up.  And while 20 years ago, …

READ MORE

“I Love Eating!”

by

My wife does a fantastic job of teaching our children to appreciate their father.  They are regularly expressing gratitude for providing for them.  It’s a sweet thing, but it does have its consequences. The other morning I was getting the kids dressed and ready for the day when Eli asked his daily question. “Dad, do you have to go to …

READ MORE

“Did You Pay for the Beach?”

by

The Agnews piled in the minivan in the middle of September for a 4-day trip to the beach.  We had just finished a month where we had started homeschooling and I returned to teaching at Lander.  We had started back up our college group at the house.  We had also just finished a week of Gathering services in addition to …

READ MORE

What a Japanese Steakhouse Taught Me About My Daughter

by

  Our family made a Saturday trip to Greenville recently.  Amidst the shoe shopping extravaganza, we decided to go to Miyabi Japanese Steakhouse for dinner that night.  We just had to pick out shoes quickly so that we could make it for the early bird special! All of my children have been really good eaters.  They try a lot of …

READ MORE

The Long Walk to Kindergarten

by

Like many other families around our area, the Agnews had a big week this week as school started.  It is crazy to think that my boys are old enough for kindergarten.  The time is flying by quickly.

While emotions will run high for these moments and you never know how parents or the children will handle themselves, we had a fantastic first day and first week of school.  There are more options concerning schooling than ever before, and we struggled like so many other parents what was the right thing to do.

I guess we are old school in many ways and we wanted our boys to walk to school like many before them.  I wanted to videotape the whole experience.  In our house, I’m normally trying to grab a camera, Amanda doesn’t like it in the moment but then thanks me later.

So, here is a video of Obadiah and Eli on their long walk to kindergarten.  The hardest day is behind us, and many more great days to come.

READ MORE

Bring the Family Back Together

by

I’ve been haunted by a question lately: do most people’s most pivotal spiritual experiences happen with their family or without their family?

The more and more I talk with people, the same answer I continue to get.  Most people’s most pivotal spiritual experiences happen when they are not with their family.  It happens at youth camp or youth group.  It happens off at college with a group of peers.  It happens in a one-on-one conversation with someone outside the family.

While I praise God for all of those programs and people, I also find that a disconnect from the family serves to have long-term negative effects.  When youth group becomes your place for spiritual growth, those people have a hard time growing when they aren’t in the youth group anymore.  That student moves to college, that student pastor has new students to watch over, and unfortunately, that person no longer has a spiritual mentor in his or her life.

But, they should.  Dad and Mom should be the primary evangelist and disciple-maker in that child’s life.

Most people’s most pivotal spiritual experiences happen without their family.

And we need to change that.

READ MORE

Deleted Scenes

by

A feature of many movies are the inclusion of the deleted scenes.  These scenes were scripted, recorded, and edited, but, due to different reasons, they never made it into the final release.

As you watch them, you might notice that that scene wasn’t that great in the first place.  Maybe the scene was decent cinematography but just seemed irrelevant to the big story line of the film.

Have you ever wished there were some “deleted scenes” from your life?

READ MORE

Protective Parents

by

“You’ll understand when you have children of your own.”

This statement has been repeated by many parents throughout the years.  As fathers and mothers provide rules and regulations, children of all ages accuse their parents of being unfair and out of touch with trends in current culture.

Instead of debating, many parents opt out of an argument by explaining to their children that they will understand better when they have children of their own one day.

We hope.

What rules did your parents have that you couldn’t stand when you were a child?

READ MORE

What We Love Most About Mom

by

photo-10

It’s Amanda’s birthday today.  The Agnews celebrate her today though she is worth celebrating every single day!

I asked the crew what they loved most about Mom.  Their replies?

READ MORE

Mini-Masterpieces

by

578707_569719442278_447105991_n

Before you can really love your child, you have to get to know your child.

Your child is unique.  That may be an understatement.  Your child is really unique.  God makes no carbon-copies.

When a child first arrives, all you know about him or her is the obvious – gender, hair color, eye color, size, etc.  Overtime, you begin to realize much more about this child.  Within months, you begin to notice personality traits.  Your child begins to reveal the things that make them laugh or the things that frighten them.  As they grow older, you will discover tendencies towards sin.  Getting to know your child is a discovery adventure for sure.

Before you can really love your child, you have to get to know your child.

READ MORE

+ MORE POSTS